He’s the greatest American triathlete in history. Three-time Olympian Hunter Kemper is the only American male athlete to be ranked No. 1 in the world by the International Triathlon Union and in the World Cup rankings.

He’s been a trailblazer every step of the way.

So why did he choose to push is body in three sports. Hunter says while growing up in Orlando, Florida, swimming was his first love. But by the time he was 10, he was competing in his first triathlon!

Growing up, he said he loved watching athletes like Janet Evans, Michael Johnson and Rowdy Gaines compete in the Olympic Games. He knew he wanted to compete someday himself, he just didn’t know in what sport.

Even before triathlon became an Olympic sport, Hunter says he always knew he wanted to be a professional triathlete. But he says he knew running was his weakest sport. So, when he went to college at Wake Forest University, he competed in running events to help turn his weakness into a strength.

When he learned that triathlon would be a part of the 2000 Summer Games, he had a new goal — making the first U.S. team.

As he prepares to go for his fourth Games, Hunter tells Growing Bolder how he was able to turn his passion into a career and why he has a new motivation for succeeding — changing the lives of some special children.

For more information about ataxia-telangiectasia, or to join Hunter and the A-T CureTeam at an upcoming event, visit their Web site.

And to learn more about Hunter Kemper and to see photos of his competitions around the world, visit his Web site.